Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-11-17

/ you. do it. and thus become response
BILE for this disgraceP I might have
checked it. Now it's too late. Look
at that idiotic face; the stamp of the
drunkard who is past recovery upon it.
It's too later'
s.Oh, don't, don't, Jamesr' his wife
cried, kneeling beside him. 81 did it
for the best. Don't say it's too late!
He's but a little more than a child yet,
and bad company has led him astray."
The drunken boy laughed idiotically.
''G'long calm me chile. ole CONAN!
Bes' poker player in town! Los ten
dollars. Ole Rapp's money though.
Took it out till. Gov'nor looks mad.
Whatermatter?"
sOh, hushl hush! hushi' the dis
tracted mother said, taking him by the
hand, Come to bed, David! Oh, do
comer' The drunken boy pushed her
aside.
"Gov'nor mad!'' he n,uttered.
won't be suited! Gimme satisfac-
ton of gentleman. Ten PAGES. pis-
tolls" and as he maundered on, his
head sank on the table before him, and
he slept heavily.
Don't try and get him away" Mr..
Forrest said, sternly. He shall stay
there all night, and I'll sit up with him.
You heard what 1 said!" with a bitter
laugh. '.Our son is not only a drunk
ard, but thief. Let him stay here;
l want to get accustomed to the dis
grace which he has come upon me, and
night with that object before me
will help me to realize it. Do you go
to bed. Unjust take his management
out of your weak hands"
"You won't drive him away. James!
You'll give him chanceP You aoitt
give him one opportunity to try to re-
form! Don't turn him out into the
wicked world, to be lost forever!" she
pleaded, with sobs. Her husband did
not Immediately answer her, but at
last he said,-
~ will not drive him away get. He
shall have one chance more-a single
one. I'll make him understand that.
when he can understand any thing.
Now leave me with him."
The poor mother crept weeping to
her bed. She left the door partly open
between the rooms, that she might
watch both husband and son. MIR.
Forrest sat rigid and motionless, as if
he were carved in stone, but the boy
slept on heavily. Towards morning
he began to move uneasily in his seat,
then raised his head from the table
and Strengthened himself up. The
mother. whose eyes had not closed
through the whole of that long night,
could almost see the terrified express
ion in his eyes when they fell on his
fathers grim figure opposite. He rose
unsteadily to his feet.
Stop, sir!'' said his father, walking
to him. II have few words to say to
you"
What was said was in too low a voice
for Mrs. Forrest to hear. There were
few brief questions. and when David
answered one of them, he hung his
head like convicted criminal. Then
she heard her husbands stern voice
for few minutes longer, and David
half staggered to the back door, opened
it and passed out.
Mrs. Forrest did not dare to ask her
husband any questions, but did not feel
uneasy whea David did not appear at
breakfast. She concluded he had gone
to the store, not wishing to meet his
father so soon again. But when din
ner time came and he was still absent
her fears were awakened and she no.
ticed her husband cast uneasy glances
towards the door whenever it was
opened. She put on her bonnet after
dinner and went directly to the store.
Mr.. Rapp was standing at the door.
Good evening, Mrs. Forrest" he
said. ''Where on earth is David to-
dayp"
isn't he in the storeP" she asked,
with her heart beating like sledge-
hammer.
Indeed, he isn't. He came in for a
minute early this morning and handed
me ten-dollar bill and mumbled out
something about having forgotten to
put it in the till. couldn't make out
what he did say. He looked pale and
sick, and I'm sure ought to have been
in bed"
Without a word Mrs. Forrest hurried
home.
what did you say to him?" she
cried, passionately, to her husband.
You've been harsh and cruel to him,
1 know, and now he's gone away
and 1 shall never, never see my boy
again.
II told him what 1 said would" he
answered. coldly. Zone more chance
I gave him for amendment Yes, /
told him he was a disgrace, a clinging
disgrace, for I didn't believe he would
reform. gave him some money to re-
place what he stole, and that was all.
don't regret a word said. Reproach
your own weakness. 1t isn't just to
reproach me. Since he has chosen to